Per Mertesacker is entrusted with the job of collecting fines from Arsenal players in breach of club discipline but the German may find himself going cap in hand to manager Arsene Wenger for his place in the team.

Barnet councillor Brian Coleman launched an astonishing attack on Barnet Football Club following their relegation last weekend.

Barnet dropped into non-League football after their 2-0 defeat at Northampton on Saturday and Coleman reacted by revelling in their plight and criticising club chairman Anthony Kleanthous.

The former mayor of the borough said in his blog: “If I had the power I would be ordering that the Church bells in Barnet be rung in celebration of the relegation of Barnet FC.

“The chairman claimed last week that Barnet had been “ushered out of the Borough” well now the club has been ushered out of the Football League entirely due to their own performance and not something they can blame the council for.

“Forget a return to Barnet, no politician and few residents are going to want a repeat of the last 15 years. Thank you and Hallelujah!”